Plattsburgh State is huge economic boost

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September 24, 2009

By STEPHEN BARTLETT The Press Republican Thu Sep 24, 2009, 11:28 PM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — Plattsburgh State is vital, and so is the surrounding area, says John Homburger.

Each piece is a thread, says the college's vice president of business affairs.

Apparently, the university's thread is very strong, as a new study says Plattsburgh State contributes more than $202 million — directly and indirectly — to the region's economy.

The university also creates and sustains thousands of jobs and is an irreplaceable local economic force, according to the study by Plattsburgh State's Technical Assistance Center.

"It is amazing how many different ways a dollar gets spent," Homburger said.

Those spent dollars don't go unnoticed.

"The college's economic impact, job creation, cultural contributions and sharing of services benefit the entire North Country," Plattsburgh City Mayor Donald Kasprzak said in a news release from the college.

The university's presence is responsible for creating or sustaining nearly 3,000 jobs beyond those held by campus employees.

The impact study covers the 2007-08 fiscal year and reflects the expenditures, in-kind services and overall benefits of having a four-year college in the region.

It also takes into account capital and operational expenditures, employee and student expenditures and contributions and spending by out-of-town visitors.

Direct spending by the college in areas such as construction, goods and services and utilities was more than $20 million.

Direct spending by the 6,200 students on off-campus housing, food, transportation and other personal expenses accounted for more than $44 million.

During the 2007-08 fiscal year, Plattsburgh State employed nearly 1,100 workers, who received $74.3 million in salaries and fringe benefits.

"SUNY Plattsburgh continues to remain an economic force in the North Country, but our relationship with the region extends well beyond the economy," Plattsburgh State President John Ettling said in a statement.

"Our students and faculty provide thousands of hours in volunteer service to local non-profits. Departments like those of theater, music, art and athletics offer a wealth of cultural and recreational activities.

"In addition, our graduates permeate the community. They are our teachers, nurses, business executives, counselors and so much more."

The university, its employees and students directly spent an estimated $141.2 million, but when you combine indirect, induced and labor income effects, the total impact to the region was $202 million.

Add the impact of visitors who come to the region because of the college, and the total economic impact exceeds even that.

The study highlights the network of more than 50,000 alumni worldwide and the more than 7,000 who remain in Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties.

Garry Douglas, president of the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, knows well the impact the college has on the region.

"The direct economic impact of SUNY Plattsburgh on the North Country is certainly huge and irreplaceable," he said in a statement. "But the college's impact on the area economy becomes even greater when you consider the important relationships between North Country employers and the school, the various forms of support for small business and economic development and the exposure of thousands of students and their family members each year to all that we have, leading many to come back here."

Homburger isn't surprised by any of this.

"I have been close to these numbers for years," he said.

Others are simply appreciative.

"It's onward and upward for the North Country, thanks in no small way to SUNY Plattsburgh," Douglas said.